They also confirmed that evidence taken from an area dug up last Thursday was rushed to London for DNA testing and has conclusively proved that Naipaul-Coolman had been temporarily buried in a shallow grave.

Apart from the DNA results, the gun fired during the kidnapping of the businesswoman was sent for ballistic testing. Police said the spent shells retrieved at Naipaul-Coolman's, Lange Park residence matched the gun found on men on January 2, at John Peter's Road, Charlieville.

Officers said investigations have revealed that Naipaul-Coolman's body was removed from the shallow grave and buried further in the Diego hills.

A massive contingent of police officers and forensic experts are expected to trek further up the Diego Martin hills today determined to retrieve Naipaul-Coolman's body.

Confirmation, through DNA testing, that the fragments belonged to Naipaul-Coolman came on Saturday afternoon from forensic officers in England .

Blood samples swabbed at a house in La Puerta were tested and matched Naipaul-Coolman's.

Police intelligence sources said both specimens were flown out of Trinidad on Thursday evening.

During a search of the house, UK forensic officers used a special chemical which they sprayed in the night and found traces of blood.

However, instead of blood officers found protein which is present in blood, but cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Following confirmation that the fragments were those of Naipaul-Coolman, nine people ranging in ages from 20-29 were charged following instructions by Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson yesterday afternoon.

The suspects are expected to appear before a Port of Spain magistrate today charged with murdering Naipaul-Coolman.

Two of the suspects charged are currently before the courts facing arms and ammunition charges.

Several bits of clothing, along with a carpet, pieces of wooden flooring,a wooden door and electric cords were seized by police.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service said in a statement the arrests "does not mean the investigations are over".

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Homicide Bureau Maurice Piggott said the activities "are as a result of the relentless and collaborative efforts between the police, the T&T Defence Force and the Special Anti-Crime Unit of T&T."

Piggott said all law enforcement agencies will continue to work and support the Naipaul-Coolman family.

More charges are expected to be laid and police are seeking the assistance of a 23-year-old La Puerta man.

The man, sources said, acted as an agent, by bringing food supplies to the camp site where Naipaul-Coolman was buried.

A shift system was in operation to guard Naipaul-Coolman's body.

Naipaul-Coolman was snatched from her Chaguanas home last December while pulling into her driveway.

Kidnappers had demanded a $3 million ransom for her safe release.

She was the wife of University of Trinidad and Tobago lecturer Rennie Coolman.He could not be reached last night.

Yesterday, employees at XtraFoods shared cake and wine among themselves in memory of Naipaul-Coolman.

A spokesperson said this event replaced the annual Mother's Day programme which was hosted by Naipaul-Coolman at Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas.